‘Menike Mage Hithe’ is BJP’s theme song in Uttar Pradesh elections

Sri Lankan singer Yohani de Silva’s “Menike Maga Hithe” which had taken the Indian music scene by storm, is now being used by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to boost the prospects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh State Assembly elections.

No need for talks with Power Minister, we need dollars to buy fuel: Gammanpila

There is no need to have discussions with Power Minister Gamini Lokuge, but all we need is the dollars to issue the required diesel, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Tax collectors to launch massive protest against special GST Act

In a move to express its displeasure over the new Special GST Act, the country’s top tax collectors of the Excise Department, Sri Lanka Customs and the Department of Inland Revenue will team up to launch a massive protest against the Ministry of Finance tomorrow.

Cabinet reshuffle delayed as SLFP breakaway imminent

The much awaited cabinet reshuffle which was to get underway this month has been delayed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as an SLFP split from the government is imminent, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in first ODI

Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka smashed half-centuries to guide Sri Lanka to a comfortable five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international on Sunday.

President instructs officials to expedite construction at Kuragala Sacred Site

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who visited the Kuragala Sacred Site, instructed the officials to expedite construction works at the site, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Three killed, 5 injured in head on collision accident in Ampara

Three persons were killed when a car collided head on with a tipper truck at Damana in Ampara today.

14 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 14 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (15) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 15,211.

No power cuts until Tuesday: Minister

Claiming that the power supply could be continued without interruptions until next Tuesday (18), Power Minister Gamini Lokuge said today a decision would have to be taken on power cuts if the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) did not provide required fuel stocks to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) until January 22.

Novak Djokovic to be deported from Australia after losing appeal against visa cancellation

Novak Djokovic will be deported from Australia ahead of the Australian Open after the full federal court dismissed the world No 1’s bid to restore his visa.

Failure to pass Budget: Mawanella PS, Balangoda UC Chairmen removed

Chairman of the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Chandana Kumara Jayawandala has been removed from his post by the Sabaragamuwa Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa due to the Pradeshiya Sabha budget had failed to get through.

Promises made to the people will be fulfilled in next three years: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday that everything promised to the people to fulfill within five years will be fulfilled in the next three years.

4,000 ecstasy pills sent from Netherlands found at Central Mail Exchange

Customs officers attached to the Central Mail Exchange recovered a consignment of 1.6 kgs of ecstasy pills containing methamphetamine which was sent from the Netherlands to a resident in Jaffna.

Three drown, two missing while bathing in rivers

Three persons had drowned and two boys aged 10 and 16 have gone missing while bathing in rivers in Siripagama and Koslanda yesterday.

Defence Secy. reacts to Cardinal’s criticism about probe

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said it is not fair to criticize the police investigation into the incident in which a grenade was found at the Borella All Saints’ Church, less than 24 hours after it was reported.

Omicron becoming dominant variant in SL: Dr. Jeewandara

In the wake of new detection of 160 more cases of Omicron where two out of three sub lineages were also identified, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said the Omicron is becoming the dominant variant in Sri Lanka overtaking Delta variant.

Mirigama-Kurunegala stretch on E-04 declared open for public

The second phase of the Central Expressway (E-04) from Mirigama to Kurunegala (Athugalpura entrance) was declared open for public today under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Tsunami hits Tonga after giant volcano eruption

Tsunami waves caused by a giant underwater volcanic eruption have hit the Pacific country of Tonga.

Indian Minister holds virtual meeting with Basil

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had a virtual meeting with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and assured steadfast support to Sri Lanka.

160 more Omicron cases identified in SL

A total of 160 more cases of Omicron COVID variant have been recorded in Sri Lanka.

Avatar robot goes to school for ill German boy

As Joshua Martinangeli, 7, is too ill to go to school, the German student can still interact with his teacher and classmates through an avatar robot that sits in class in his place and sends a blinking signal when he has something to say.

SLFP to stay in Govt. and criticize: Dr. Raghavan

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) says it has no immediate plan to withdraw from the Government but will continue to raise critical questions.

Two boys go missing off Valachchenai beach; one rescued

Two boys have gone missing while another one was rescued when they were suspected to have drowned while bathing in the Kiran beach in Valachchenai.

Colombo Fort Magistrate concerned over lethargy of CID

Colombo Fort Magistrate was concerned over the lethargic investigations carried out by CID from November 2019 into a case in which a woman was alleged to have defrauded over Rs 130 million to businessmen promising to sell gold.

More financial cooperation from India, on the way

In addition to the extension of US$ 4,900 million support, India and Sri Lanka are working out other pillars of financial cooperation agreed upon during Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s visit to New Delhi last month, an informed source said.

Repetition of war crime allegations should be prevented - Sajith

Sri Lanka should prevent the repetition of war crime allegations by meeting out justice to the affected people, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said.

SL seeks US $ 500 million loan from AIIB

Sri Lanka has sought a US $ 500 loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), headquartered in Beijing, China, for green development projects, Daily Mirror learns.

Conspiracy to embarrass Govt.- Minister Sarath Weerasekara

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today there was a main conspirator behind the incidents where hand grenades were placed at a private hospital in Narahenpita and at the Borella All Saints’ Church premises.

Booster dose plummets rate of hospitalization due to Omicron by 90%

Three doses of COVID-19 vaccine drop hospitalization by 90% in people above 65 years of age, health experts highlighted.

Govt. using fake attempts to fulfill its political objectives: NPP

The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) today alleged that the government, which came to power capitalising the weakness of the then government and security situation which erupted in the country after the Easter Sunday attacks, was using fake attempts to fulfill its political objectives instead of bringing the culprits to book.